Inkjet Print Media Conditioner for Wrinkle Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printed media often becomes deformed or wrinkled due to absorption of printing fluid, leading to unreliable page registration in paper handling accessories, which can result in errors during post-printing processes such as stapling, hole punching, and embossing.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet printing system that includes a modular print media conditioner with heated pressure rollers to condition the printed media before it enters the paper handling device, ensuring proper flattening and drying of the ink, thereby preventing deformation and enabling reliable registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If inkjet printing device ejects printing fluid onto media, then image formation is achieved, but media deformation and wrinkling occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation qualityVSAvoidmedia flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a media conditioner that performs flattening and drying operations immediately after inkjet printing but before paper handling. The conditioner uses heated rollers to evaporate excess printing fluid and press the media flat, preventing deformation before it affects subsequent processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The media conditioner serves as an intermediary device between the inkjet printing device and paper handling accessories. It mediates the transition by conditioning the media state - removing excess moisture and flattening wrinkles - so that the media is suitable for reliable registration and handling in downstream devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If media absorbs printing fluid to form image, then image quality is achieved, but unreliable page registration occurs in paper handling accessories

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpage registration reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conditioner performs preliminary drying and flattening operations on the media before it enters paper handling accessories. By removing excess printing fluid and smoothing the media surface in advance, the system ensures reliable page registration during subsequent stapling, hole punching, or embossing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Shape

If heated pressure rollers are used to condition media, then media flattening and drying are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia flatnessVSAvoidconditioner structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The media conditioner is designed as a modular, segmented device that can be selectively coupled to either the inkjet printing device or paper handling accessory. This segmentation allows the conditioning function to be added only when needed, without permanently complicating the base systems. The conditioner includes separate heated roller elements and bypass mechanisms that can be independently controlled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conditioner incorporates dynamic elements including movable bypass mechanisms that can redirect media flow. When conditioning is not required, media can bypass the heated rollers entirely. The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on whether the media requires flattening and drying, reducing unnecessary complexity in normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively conditions inkjet printed media, eliminating wrinkles and ensuring accurate registration, thus preventing errors in post-printing processes and enhancing the quality of finished products.

Implementation Method 1

heated pressure rollers to condition the printed media before it enters the paper handling device, ensuring proper flattening and drying of the ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

modular print media conditioner with heated pressure rollers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

heated pressure rollers to condition the printed media, ensuring proper flattening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10933659B2Inkjet print media conditioner

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An inkjet printing system may include an inkjet printing device, a print media finishing device, and a conditioner selectively coupled within a housing of the print media finishing device and in alignment with a print media exit of the inkjet printing device where the conditioner includes a number of heated pressure rollers to condition the print media prior to introduction into the print media finishing device.